How Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine Work?

1. How Does the Seasonal
Flu Vaccine Work?
George Mathew MD

2. How Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Work?
 The owner of Pacific Family & Internal Medicine in Sequim, Washington,
George Mathew, MD, is board certified by the American Board of Internal
Medicine. As an internist, George Mathew, MD, treats adults for a wide
range of chronic and acute conditions and also offers preventive care,
such as the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine.

3. How Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Work?
 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the seasonal
flu affects up to 20% of Americans every year, and thousands die from the
disease. Flu vaccines are not 100% effective at preventing the illness, but
vaccinated patients who still get the flu experience milder symptoms than
those who did not receive the shot .

4. How Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Work?
 The traditional influenza vaccine is injected into the muscle or just under the
skin and contains inactive viruses, which cause the body to produce
antibodies to those particular strains of the flu within roughly two weeks. This
shot is approved for use in anyone aged 6 months or older. Patients may
alternatively opt for the flu nasal spray, which uses weakened flu viruses
rather than dead ones. This preventive treatment is approved for healthy
people aged 2 to 49 years, excluding pregnant women.

5. How Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Work?
 The flu shot rarely causes side effects, but some people may experience
soreness at the injection site or a low-grade fever. The nasal spray can also
cause short-lived side effects such as fever, runny nose , and vomiting.
Many people confuse these side effects with the flu, but neither the shot
nor the spray is capable of causing influenza infection.